Toes - AP/DP

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of Projection	Toes - DP
Area Covered	Phalanges and at least half of the length metatarsals
Pathology Shown	Fractures, dislocation, foreign body, some pathologies such as osteoarthritis and gout
Radiographic Anatomy	Toes Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	18 x 24cm Landscape, divided in two usually fit 2 views, use lead masking for unused area
Film / Screen Combination	Detail (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	No
Filter	Yes - when using film a thin filter covering phalanges and distal metatarsals
Exposure	55 kVp 2.5 mAs
FFD / SID	100cm
Central Ray	CR angled 10° - 15° towards calcaneus Directed to the metatarsophalangeal joints
Collimation	Four sides of collimation Outer skin margins of foot on the sides Upper margin to include distal phalanges, Lower margin to include metatrsals
Markers	Distal and Lateral Marker orientation AP
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Not applicable
Positioning	Some departmental protocols include centering and collimation for the AP toes to include all the toes and distal metatarsals. The majority include centering to the toe of interest with closer collimation to include only one digit on each side of the injury (check your department's policy guidelines) Patient supine or seated on the X-ray table or barouche Knee of affected limb flexed with plantar surface of foot resting on IR Ensure that MP joint(s) of the digit(s) in question are centred CR angled 10° - 15° towards calcaneus, directed to the metatarsophalangeal joints
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Area Covered Collimation Exposure
Special Notes